Titans still control their own destiny heading into bye week

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Titans head coach Mike Mularkey celebrates with safety Kevin Byard (31) who had three interceptions during the team's win over the Browns at FirstEnergy Stadium Sunday, Oct. 22, 2017 in Cleveland, Ohio.
George Walker IV / Tennessean.com

Titans head coach Mike Mularkey celebrates with safety Kevin Byard (31) who had three interceptions during the team's win over the Browns at FirstEnergy Stadium Sunday, Oct. 22, 2017 in Cleveland, Ohio.
George Walker IV / Tennessean.com

Browns place kicker Zane Gonzalez (5) kicks a 53-yard field goal to tie the game late in the fourth quarter at FirstEnergy Stadium Sunday, Oct. 22, 2017 in Cleveland, Ohio.
George Walker IV / Tennessean.com

Browns place kicker Zane Gonzalez (5) is congratulated after the tying field goal late in the fourth quarter at FirstEnergy Stadium Sunday, Oct. 22, 2017 in Cleveland, Ohio.
George Walker IV / Tennessean.com

Teammates celebrate with Titans safety Kevin Byard (31) in the fourth quarter after his third interception of the day at FirstEnergy Stadium Sunday, Oct. 22, 2017 in Cleveland, Ohio.
George Walker IV / Tennessean.com

Teammates celebrate with Titans safety Kevin Byard (31) in the fourth quarter after his third interception of the day at FirstEnergy Stadium Sunday, Oct. 22, 2017 in Cleveland, Ohio.
George Walker IV / Tennessean.com

Titans running back Derrick Henry (22) is stopped at the one-yard line on a fourth-down play during the third quarter at FirstEnergy Stadium Sunday, Oct. 22, 2017 in Cleveland, Ohio.
George Walker IV / Tennessean.com

Browns place kicker Zane Gonzalez (5) is congratulated after tying the game with a field goal in the third quarter at FirstEnergy Stadium Sunday, Oct. 22, 2017 in Cleveland, Ohio.
George Walker IV / Tennessean.com

Titans running back DeMarco Murray (29) races up the field for a first down defended by Browns linebacker Christian Kirksey (58) during the second quarter at FirstEnergy Stadium Sunday, Oct. 22, 2017 in Cleveland, Ohio.
George Walker IV / Tennessean.com

Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota (8) scrambles out of the picket for a first down during the second quarter at FirstEnergy Stadium Sunday, Oct. 22, 2017 in Cleveland, Ohio.
George Walker IV / Tennessean.com

Titans running back Derrick Henry (22) is brought down on a second-down play during the second quarter at FirstEnergy Stadium Sunday, Oct. 22, 2017 in Cleveland, Ohio.
George Walker IV / Tennessean.com

Titans place kicker Ryan Succop (4) kicks a field goal on a hold by punter Brett Kern (6) during the first quarter against the Browns dat FirstEnergy Stadium Sunday, Oct. 22, 2017 in Cleveland, Ohio.
George Walker IV / Tennessean.com

Titans tight end Jonnu Smith (81) lets a pass slip through his fingers on third down in the first quarter against the Browns at FirstEnergy Stadium Sunday, Oct. 22, 2017 in Cleveland, Ohio.
George Walker IV / Tennessean.com

Titans running back Derrick Henry (22) dives for a first during early in the first quarter against the Browns at FirstEnergy Stadium Sunday, Oct. 22, 2017 in Cleveland, Ohio.
George Walker IV / Tennessean.com

Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota (8) and teammates line up for the National Anthem before the game against the Browns at FirstEnergy Stadium Sunday, Oct. 22, 2017 in Cleveland, Ohio.
George Walker IV / Tennessean.com

Titans tight end Delanie Walker (82) pulls in a catch during warmups before the game against the Browns at FirstEnergy Stadium Sunday, Oct. 22, 2017 in Cleveland, Ohio.
George Walker IV / Tennessean.com

Titans defensive tackle Jurrell Casey (99) leads his teammates in a huddle before the start of the game against the Browns at FirstEnergy Stadium Sunday, Oct. 22, 2017 in Cleveland, Ohio.
George Walker IV / Tennessean.com

Titans tight end Phillip Supernaw (89) pulls in a catch before the start of the game against the Browns at FirstEnergy Stadium Sunday, Oct. 22, 2017 in Cleveland, Ohio.
George Walker IV / Tennessean.com

Titans wide receiver Rishard Matthews (18) makes a catch before the start of the game against the Browns at FirstEnergy Stadium Sunday, Oct. 22, 2017 in Cleveland, Ohio.
George Walker IV / Tennessean.com

Titans cornerback Curtis Riley (35) tries to pull in a catch during warmups before the game against the Browns at FirstEnergy Stadium Sunday, Oct. 22, 2017 in Cleveland, Ohio.
George Walker IV / Tennessean.com

Titans cornerback Curtis Riley (35) pulls in a catch as he warms up before the game against the Browns at FirstEnergy Stadium Sunday, Oct. 22, 2017 in Cleveland, Ohio.
George Walker IV / Tennessean.com

There were some glaring flaws in the team’s win over the Browns. However, the win kept them on top of the AFC South. They share the No. 1 spot with the Jacksonville Jaguars, who are also on a bye in Week 8. The Texans will have a chance to get back into the mix with a win next week.

Even if the Texans win their Week 8 game, Tennessee still controls its own destiny coming out of the bye.

After the bye ...

It has games against a reeling Ravens team and an inconsistent Bengals squad at home. Then it’s in Pittsburgh on a Thursday. After that, it gets the Colts on the road and the Texans at home in two very important divisional games.

That five-game stretch could determine its season. If Tennessee goes 4-1 in those games and wins both division bouts, it’d be at 8-4 with a 4-1 division record with a quarter of the season left.

It won't be easy

The Titans still have to win games against tough teams. They’ve done enough through seven weeks to be in a position to get into the postseason without help from other teams. That’s the ideal spot to be in, and for all their missteps, the Titans have gotten themselves here.

Now comes the hard part: taking advantage of their position, winning tough games down the stretch and ending their eight-year playoff drought.